JUNEAU, Alaska — Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak aircrews deployed to Forward Operating Location Cold Bay medevaced an 80-year-old woman and a 34-year-old male during separate cases Wednesday.
Coast Guard watchstanders received a report from the cruise ship Sun Princess that a woman was suffering from symptoms of a perforated appendix. Watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon who recommended a medevac. Watchstanders requested the launch of an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter which flew to Dutch Harbor to pick up a Guardian Flight crewmember to assist with the medevac.
The Jayhawk crew hoisted the woman and transported her to Dutch Harbor where they rendezvoused with the Guardian Flight aircraft to transfer her for further care.
In a separate case, Coast Guard watchstanders received a report from the vessel Ever Lively of a man suffering from symptoms of an abdominal infection. Watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon who recommended medevac. Watchstanders requested the launch of a Jayhawk helicopter and a HC-130 Hercules aircraft.
The Jayhawk crew hoisted the man and transported him to Cold Bay where they rendezvoused with Med Flight to transfer him for further care.
“Cases like these can happen at any time in Alaska,” said Lt. Joseph Schlosser, a command duty officer at Coast Guard District 17. “With the increased traffic in the Gulf of Alaska the FOL in Cold Bay allows us to conduct medevacs quickly and get the individuals to the care they need.”